Zoo in Singapore puts down first polar bear born in the tropics

Inuka, the world's first polar bear born in the tropics, has been put to sleep by Singapore Zoo, officials said.

The 27-year-old bear suffered from age-related ailments including arthritis, and its limbs became too weak to support its over 500kg (1,100lb) frame.

Then eighteen-year-old Inuka the polar bear is seen feeding in his enclosure at the zoo in Singapore. Pic: AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File

The zoo said this resulted in injuries to its abdomen and paws which did not respond well to weeks of intensive treatment.

A team of veterinarians and keepers decided not to revive the bear after it was anaesthetised for a thorough health check.

"Looking at all the symptoms it is quite clear that from ... Inuka's point of view, he would have been suffering quite a fair bit of discomfort and pain," said Cheng Wen-Haur, deputy chief executive of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which runs most of the country's zoos.

"So we made the only right call that we can make under the situation," he added.